Thursday – Day 10 – 8/18
By: Josh Stowers
Marshall opened up their 10th practice in the friendly confines of Joan C. Edwards Stadium. With temperatures in the lower 80's, Doc Holliday's football team took the field looking to wrap up their second week in strong fashion. With the defense dominating recent practices the offense looked to gain some momentum, and that's exactly what they did. Let's get to it!
Missing in Action
· Sandley Jean-Felix, Shawn Petty, and Tiquan Lang were all absent from today’s practice (that the media could tell)
· Kaleb Harris and Willie Johnson both sported red “no contact” jerseys, but took part in the entire practice (team sessions included)
Special Teams
· Kaleb Harris, Brandon Rodgers, Willie Johnson, Deyton Jackson, and Hyleck Foster all shared time at kick returner
· The kicking game continues to be a concern. Nick Smith went 1 for 2 on the day hitting from 42 yards out on the right hash. He missed from the left hash at the same distance. Amoreto Curraj had a forgetful day missing both of his kicks from the same distances and angles as Smith. Grayson Pontius did not kick today for unknown reasons
· Kaare Vedvik boomed punts up to 65 yards in the air during warm-ups
Offense
· The offense had their ups and downs today, but came away the victors on the day. Chase Litton and Xavier Gaines had the better days at quarterback. Litton found Keion Davis out of the backfield (think Travon Van versus ECU) for a 45-yard touchdown early in the 7-on-7 portion of practice. Litton wore the defense out today with the short to intermediate routes that Tommy Shuler thrived on. Litton later found Emanuel Byrd for a 25-yard gain on a beautifully thrown ball over Byrd’s outside shoulder on the sideline. The Tampa duo of Litton and Michael Clark hooked up for a big gain of 40 yards down the left sideline. Clark went up through contact and tight coverage from Chris Jackson to bring the ball down (with both feet in). You simply can’t teach size
· Gaines had the best day I’ve seen from the young quarterback mainly because he didn’t commit a turnover today. Operating with the third unit, he hit walk-on tight end Jarrett Hockenberry with a nice throw over the defense for a 20-yard gain. Later on, he hooked up with fellow freshman Willie Johnson on back-to-back throws over the middle for gains of 15 and 18 yards. Gaines later found Simino Walden for a gain of 30 yards thanks to busted coverage in the secondary
· Garet Morrell operated with the second unit and had his ups and downs. Like Litton, Morrell operated well on the intermediate throws. He made one really nice throw to Gator Green in tight coverage. Green was sandwiched on the play with Jaylon McClain-Sapp and Jeremiah Maddox, but held onto the ball. Morrell later threw an interception right into the hands of Corey Neely. I’m unsure if Morrell underthrew the ball or if Raylen Elzy didn’t run his route to the correct depth because the ball ended up five yards short of where Elzy was
· Anthony Anderson continued to impress with his light feet and big body. On two different occasions Anderson used his agility and power to get to the next level. During the “Running Game” drill against the front seven of the defense, Anderson showed great patience by letting the line produce the hole in front of him. Later on, he literally ran over the offensive player in front of him on his way to the end-zone
· The biggest play of the day and so-called “walk off” 70-yard touchdown run belonged to Chase Litton. Litton pulled the ball on the option and could’ve walked the entire 70 yards he fooled the defense so badly. The entire offense went nuts and let the defense know about it during their 25 “up-downs”
Defense
· Davon (Day-von) Durant continued his impressive and physical play Thursday evening. I was trying to temper my expectations for the “newcomer” but dear lord this man is a wrecking ball. On two different occasions today, he destroyed the ball carriers. First, during 7-on-7 he basically threw Delvin Weems down like a rag doll after Weems caught a ball in the flat. Then he literally threw his body into Hyleck Foster off the right side of the line and Foster went flying two or three yards back. It was crazy! I’m beginning to believe he’ll be a starter from day one
· I mentioned earlier that Corey Neely had the interception off Morrell, but what I failed to mention is that I think he’s going to be the “Deandre Reaves” of the defense this fall and play his best football as a senior
· Chris Jackson continued his feisty play and broke up a couple passes. Kid is seriously Swag 2.0
Notes
· Jordan Dowrey and Chase Hancock had a nice little “bout” today. Dowrey looked more like George Foreman while Hancock danced around like Sugar Ray Leonard. Advantage Dowrey
· Although I can’t divulge a name at this point, you should expect a new member to the line backing unit tomorrow. Herd Nation has learned that Marshall will be accepting an incoming transfer and he’s expected to be at practice tomorrow. I should have a name sometime before practice so you guys will be the first to know
· Marshall will continue their week’s practices tomorrow with a single practice at 5:00pm. They’ll also be conducting two practices Saturday (9:15am and 5:00pm) with the latter being an officiated scrimmage. The scrimmage will be open to Big Green members and students
By: Josh Stowers
Marshall opened up their 10th practice in the friendly confines of Joan C. Edwards Stadium. With temperatures in the lower 80's, Doc Holliday's football team took the field looking to wrap up their second week in strong fashion. With the defense dominating recent practices the offense looked to gain some momentum, and that's exactly what they did. Let's get to it!
Missing in Action
· Sandley Jean-Felix, Shawn Petty, and Tiquan Lang were all absent from today’s practice (that the media could tell)
· Kaleb Harris and Willie Johnson both sported red “no contact” jerseys, but took part in the entire practice (team sessions included)
Special Teams
· Kaleb Harris, Brandon Rodgers, Willie Johnson, Deyton Jackson, and Hyleck Foster all shared time at kick returner
· The kicking game continues to be a concern. Nick Smith went 1 for 2 on the day hitting from 42 yards out on the right hash. He missed from the left hash at the same distance. Amoreto Curraj had a forgetful day missing both of his kicks from the same distances and angles as Smith. Grayson Pontius did not kick today for unknown reasons
· Kaare Vedvik boomed punts up to 65 yards in the air during warm-ups
Offense
· The offense had their ups and downs today, but came away the victors on the day. Chase Litton and Xavier Gaines had the better days at quarterback. Litton found Keion Davis out of the backfield (think Travon Van versus ECU) for a 45-yard touchdown early in the 7-on-7 portion of practice. Litton wore the defense out today with the short to intermediate routes that Tommy Shuler thrived on. Litton later found Emanuel Byrd for a 25-yard gain on a beautifully thrown ball over Byrd’s outside shoulder on the sideline. The Tampa duo of Litton and Michael Clark hooked up for a big gain of 40 yards down the left sideline. Clark went up through contact and tight coverage from Chris Jackson to bring the ball down (with both feet in). You simply can’t teach size
· Gaines had the best day I’ve seen from the young quarterback mainly because he didn’t commit a turnover today. Operating with the third unit, he hit walk-on tight end Jarrett Hockenberry with a nice throw over the defense for a 20-yard gain. Later on, he hooked up with fellow freshman Willie Johnson on back-to-back throws over the middle for gains of 15 and 18 yards. Gaines later found Simino Walden for a gain of 30 yards thanks to busted coverage in the secondary
· Garet Morrell operated with the second unit and had his ups and downs. Like Litton, Morrell operated well on the intermediate throws. He made one really nice throw to Gator Green in tight coverage. Green was sandwiched on the play with Jaylon McClain-Sapp and Jeremiah Maddox, but held onto the ball. Morrell later threw an interception right into the hands of Corey Neely. I’m unsure if Morrell underthrew the ball or if Raylen Elzy didn’t run his route to the correct depth because the ball ended up five yards short of where Elzy was
· Anthony Anderson continued to impress with his light feet and big body. On two different occasions Anderson used his agility and power to get to the next level. During the “Running Game” drill against the front seven of the defense, Anderson showed great patience by letting the line produce the hole in front of him. Later on, he literally ran over the offensive player in front of him on his way to the end-zone
· The biggest play of the day and so-called “walk off” 70-yard touchdown run belonged to Chase Litton. Litton pulled the ball on the option and could’ve walked the entire 70 yards he fooled the defense so badly. The entire offense went nuts and let the defense know about it during their 25 “up-downs”
Defense
· Davon (Day-von) Durant continued his impressive and physical play Thursday evening. I was trying to temper my expectations for the “newcomer” but dear lord this man is a wrecking ball. On two different occasions today, he destroyed the ball carriers. First, during 7-on-7 he basically threw Delvin Weems down like a rag doll after Weems caught a ball in the flat. Then he literally threw his body into Hyleck Foster off the right side of the line and Foster went flying two or three yards back. It was crazy! I’m beginning to believe he’ll be a starter from day one
· I mentioned earlier that Corey Neely had the interception off Morrell, but what I failed to mention is that I think he’s going to be the “Deandre Reaves” of the defense this fall and play his best football as a senior
· Chris Jackson continued his feisty play and broke up a couple passes. Kid is seriously Swag 2.0
Notes
· Jordan Dowrey and Chase Hancock had a nice little “bout” today. Dowrey looked more like George Foreman while Hancock danced around like Sugar Ray Leonard. Advantage Dowrey
· Although I can’t divulge a name at this point, you should expect a new member to the line backing unit tomorrow. Herd Nation has learned that Marshall will be accepting an incoming transfer and he’s expected to be at practice tomorrow. I should have a name sometime before practice so you guys will be the first to know
· Marshall will continue their week’s practices tomorrow with a single practice at 5:00pm. They’ll also be conducting two practices Saturday (9:15am and 5:00pm) with the latter being an officiated scrimmage. The scrimmage will be open to Big Green members and students
